Catchandkill, buying unflattering stories about trump and making sure they were never published before the election. Aaron katersky outside the courthouse. The near disaster at jfk airport. Authorities say air Traffic Control clearing four planes to cross in front of a Passenger Jet as it was about to take off. The pilot aborting takeoff. Youll hear calls to the tower. Tonight, in new york city, Columbia University increasing security. Propalestinian demonstrators rallying against the israelhamas war. The School Switching to remote classes. And tonight, protests spreading to campuses across the u. S. In los angeles, the breakin at the home of the mayor, karen bass. Authorities say the mayor was home when the intruder broke in and got to the second floor. They say the mayor was hiding in a safe room. Tonight, ukraines president zelenskyy thanking the u. S. And thanking House Speaker mike johnson, after the house passed, democrats and republicans, a massive aid package for ukraine, angering some republicans. Tonight, the marine killed during a Training Exercise. The sergeant was killed just weeks after being promoted. The Carnival Cruise ship rescuing more than two dozen people stranded at sea. On this earth day, ginger zee travels to Navajo Nation tonight, where 60,000 people live without power. Tonight, the effort to bring Clean Solar Energy there, and were there, as one woman turns on the lights for the first time. And the major news tonight involving cher. After being passed over for so many years, its about time. Announcer from abc news World Headquarters in new york, this is World News Tonight with david muir. David good evening and its great to start another week with all of you at home. We do begin tonight with the first witness taking the stand in Donald Trumps historic criminal trial here in new york. The former president facing 34 counts of falsifying Business Records for allegedly covering up a Hush Money Payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep it all from voters just before the 2016 election. The former president says none of it is true, and he has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Trump walking into court today. Prosecutors outlining their case, Accusing Trump of election fraud, pure and simple, they said today. Trumps lawyers saying, quote, there is nothing wrong with trying to influence an election, its called democracy, and that none of this was a crime. Then prosecutors calling the first witness, david pecker, to the stand, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, who prosecutors say was part of a scheme called catchandkill, buying unflattering stories about trump and never publishing them. Abc Senior Investigative correspondent Aaron Katersky leading us off at the courthouse again tonight. Reporter donald trump walking into the manhattan courtroom where today for the first time in history a jury heard testimony in a criminal case against a former american president. Its a very, very sad day in america. I can tell you that. Reporter with Trump Slouching in his seat and sometimes closing his eyes, prosecutor Matthew Colangelo began his Opening Statement charging trump Orchestrated A Criminal Scheme to corrupt the 2016 president ial election. Jurors listening intently, some taking notes, as the prosecutor laid out his case, Accusing Trump of falsifying Business Records to disguise a 130,000 hush payment to porn star Stormy Daniels days before the election, so voters wouldnt find out about her claim of an affair. At the time, trump was under pressure. News had just broken of the Access Hollywood tape, trump caught on camera bragging about groping women. The prosecutor today quoting trumps own words to the jury. And when youre a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Reporter you can do anything, the prosecutor slowly reciting to the jury. Prosecutors said the tapes impact was explosive and trump and his campaign were deeply concerned. So when trump learned Stormy Daniels was shopping a story of their alleged liaison, prosecutors said he was adamant it not come out, fearing, it could have been devastating to the campaign. Prosecutors allege, at trumps direction, his fixer Michael Cohen paid daniels off and agreed to cook the books, so when trump reimbursed him, it appeared as routine legal bills. The prosecutor called it a conspiracy to influence the 2016 election to help donald trump get elected. Election fraud, pure and simple. In his Opening Statement, defense attorney todd blanche insisting, President Trump is innocent. President trump did not commit any crimes. I have a spoiler alert, he told the jury, there is nothing wrong with trying to influence an election. Its called democracy. There is nothing illegal about entering into a nondisclosure agreement, he continued, period. He said trump was unaware of any effort to camouflage the payment to daniels as a business expense. And he told the jury, Michael Cohen, a key prosecution witness, has an obsession with getting trump, he cannot be trusted. But prosecutors insist the alleged criminal conspiracy to protect trump involved others, including their first witness, david pecker, the former National Enquirer publisher who once called trump a personal friend. As pecker took the stand, trump leaned forward, arms crossed, an angry look on his face. Pecker has acknowledged buying negative stories about the candidate only to bury them, a practice known as catchandkill. On the stand, pecker was blunt. We used checkbook journalism. We paid for stories. Hes testifying under a subpoena, having cut a deal with prosecutors to avoid charges himself. He was only on the stand a few minutes today, but hell be back tomorrow. Leaving court, trump, who denies the affair with daniels, tried to downplay the case against him. Its a case as to bookkeeping, which is a very minor thing in terms of the law. Reporter so, david pecker is back tomorrow, david, but before that, there will be arguments whether trump violated the judges gag order. Prosecutors say he disobeyed it repeatedly by posting disparaging things about witnesses, like Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels. Prosecutors want trump to pay a fine. They also want the judge to hold him in contempt, which could lead to even more severe consequences. David . David a lot of this focused on this first thing in the morning. Aaron katersky. Aaron, thank you. We turn now to what Authorities Say was a near disaster at jfk airport. Authorities say air Traffic Controller clearing four planes to cross a runway just as a Passenger Jet was about to take off. The pilot then aborting takeoff. Youll hear the calls to the tower. Heres abcs ike ejiochi. Reporter tonight, the faa is investigating a near disaster at one of the nations busiest airports. An april 17th zurichbound Swiss Air Flight cleared for takeoff at jfk beginning to speed down the runway, forced to abort after noticing air Traffic Control also cleared four other planes to cross that same runway, putting them on a collision course. Listen to air Traffic Control clearing Swiss Air Flight 17. Swiss 17k heavy, runway 4l, cleared for takeoff. Reporter then, moments later, as the plane is heading down the runway, the pilot suddenly sees the other planes taxiing and aborts the takeoff. Swiss 17k heavy rejecting takeoff. Traffic on the runway. Reporter tonight, the Swiss Airline praising their quickthinking team, saying in a statement, due to the high level of situation awareness, a potentially dangerous situation was quickly deescalated. Moving four aircraft across an active runway and one controller not talking to another indicates a special level of stress. Reporter the incident came just a day before another near catastrophic close call. Panic in the tower at washingtons Reagan National airport, as two packed planes came within 400 feet of each other. Jetblue 1554, stop. Southwest stop southwest 2937 stop reporter a jetblue flight cleared for takeoff forced to slam on its brakes after air Traffic Control noticed they cleared a Southwest Plane to taxi across the same runway. David, while the faa investigates this latest incident, theyre also addressing Fatigue Concerns for all air Traffic Controllers, increasing the amount of rest between shifts. David . David ike ejiochi right here at jfk airport. Ike, good to have you in new york. Tonight, here in new york city, Columbia University increasing security as propalestinian demonstrators rally against the israelhamas war. The School Switching to remote classes, and tonight, protests now spreading to campuses across the u. S. Abcs Stephanie Ramos at columbia tonight. Reporter tonight, College Campuses scrambling to handle a growing propalestinian protest movement. Columbia university stepping up Campus Security and moving classes online. The schools president saying, we need a reset to deescalate the rancor. [ Crowd Chanting ] but today, fresh arrests and tensions boiling over on the first night of passover. This israeli Assistant Professor confronting University Officials over being denied access to the main lawn, as School Officials p tried to separate protesters. I am a professor here. I have every right to be everywhere on campus. You cannot let people that support hamas on campus, and me, a professor, not go on campus. Let me in now. Reporter it comes after a campus rabbi urged students to stay home, saying the school and the nypd Cannot Guarantee Jewish students safety. New york mayor eric adams saying he is horrified and disgusted with antisemitism spewed at and around columbias campus. Pointing to videos circulating online, such as this one showing a woman in front of pro israel protesters with a sign reading al qasams next targets, a reference to hamas military wing. Made me sick hearing the things they were saying and doing. So, over this holiday, i kind of just want to avoid it as best as i can, for my own safety. Reporter many propalestinian protesters insist their movement is peaceful. Violence has no place on this movement, and we regret some of the incidents that has happened that were actually unassociated with this movement. [ Crowd Chanting ] reporter the protests, calling for colleges to divest from companies with ties to israel, now spreading to other campuses. Today, at least 45 people arrested at yale university. At nyu, a standoff with police, after protesters were told to vacate a campus plaza. Back here at Columbia University, students are still waiting to hear when they can return to inperson classes. New york governor kathy hochul, who visited the campus today, calling on people to find their humanity and have conversations so they can understand different points of view. David . David Stephanie Ramos reporting from columbia for us again tonight. Stephanie, thank you. This evening, were learning more about a scare for Los Angeles Mayor karen bass. Police arresting a suspect for allegedly breaking into her home while she was there. The l. A. Times tonight reporting the intruder made it to the second floor. The mayor was in a safe room. Heres abcs trevor ault. Reporter tonight, los angeles investigators working to determine whether the alleged breakin at the home of mayor karen bass was a targeted attack. Units responding to incident 1065. The alarm was personally activated. Reporter the lapd saying early Sunday Morning the suspect smashed through a glass door. The Mayors Office telling abc the mayor and other Family Members were inside when it happened. The l. A. Times reporting she hid in a safe room, as the suspect made it to the second floor. Be advised, theres a subject inside the residence right now. Reporter officers on the scene within minutes, arresting 29yearold Ephraim Matthew hunter, booking him on a felony burglary charge. We have one in custody. Theyre clearing the house right now. Reporter Court Records show hunter was previously charged with kidnapping and Attempted Murder back in 2015 in massachusetts. He was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon, sentenced to five to seven years in prison. The mayor today declining to reveal details of this new investigation. Let me just say, first of all, i am fine. My family is fine. And we are going to do everything we can to keep angelenos safe. Reporter david, the mayor was already the victim of at least one other recent breakin, but that wasnt at this house. And of course, the bug question now here at this moment is whether this was targeted or random. David . David trev all the live in los angeles for us tonight. Trevor, thank you. Tonight, ukraines president zelenskyy expressing relief and gratitude to the u. S. And to the speaker of the house mike johnson, after the house approved a massive aid package, with votes from democrats and republicans. It comes after some republicans threatened the speakers job if he moved forward with help for ukraine, trying to fend off russia. Abcs selina wang on capitol hill tonight. Reporter tonight, with that 95 billion aid package finally making its way through congress, a new lifeline for ukraine in its war against russia. President zelenskyy saying in his evening address, i am grateful to mr. President , his team, everyone in the United States congress, personally to speaker johnson, and all who support the active defense of freedom. Zelenskyy speaking to President Biden by phone today. Biden vowing to sign the bill into law as soon as it reaches his desk. But tonight, russias foreign minister warning, the westerners are teetering dangerously on the brink of a direct Military Clash between nuclear powers. The bill is passed. Reporter it comes just days after Speaker Mike Johnson put his job on the line to pass that aid package in the house. Nearly 61 billion for ukraine, 26 billion for israel, and 8 billion for taiwan. Plus, legislation that would ban tiktok if its Chinese Parent Company doesnt sell the app. You do the right thing and you let the chips fall where they may. Reporter its a dramatic 180 for johnson, a Devout Christian who was staunchly against aid to ukraine. But after classified briefings and lots of praying, johnson making a complete turnaround, arguing that ukraine is critical to u. S. National security. But hardline republicans fuming, with at least three still threatening to oust him. Hes disappointed us. He cant be speaker. Reporter and david, this 95 billion aid package is expected to speed through the senate, and theres bipartisan support for that potential tiktok ban in there. But look, it could be a long road from here, because tiktok, they will block, they will try to fight any potential ban in the courts, and the Chinese Government could block any potential sale. David . David selina wang live up on the hill for us tonight. Selina, thank you. Meantime, in israel tonight, the Israeli Military intelligence chief has resigned over the October 7th Hamas attack and the Intelligence Failures leading up to that attack. The first senior figure now to step down, Major General resigning, the hamas attack, the deadliest attack in israeli history. Hamas had been training for many months. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he and other officials would answer to the Intelligence Failure after the war with hamas. Back in this country tonight, and on this earth day, our series the power of us people, climate, and our future. Tonight, chief meteorologist ginger zee takes us inside Navajo Nation, where after a lifetime without power, new and Clean Solar Energy is allowing some to turn on the lights for the first time. Reporter along a seemingly incalculable horizon, a legacy of Energy Injustice hangs heavy over Navajo Nation. You were telling me they are one of the homes without power. One thing that always upset me kind of growing up was being able to witness how close we are to opportunity, but yet not actually touch it. Reporter there are 15,000 households, up to 60,000 people here, that have never had power. Hi, pretty. Reporter Eleanor Paddock moved back to her familys land 11 years ago. She uses propane to cook, a car battery to charge her cell phone, and sometimes she drives more than an hour just to plug in and make lesson plans as a substitute teacher. Brett isaac and navajo power are trying to change that. Im getting emotional. Reporter as we drive to her home, brett tells me about the bennett freeze. It essentially closed off parts of infrastructure. Reporter the federal law that made it nearly impossible for parts of Navajo Nation to develop their land until it was lifted in 2009. Was there malice in this . They were trying to create incentives for native people to move to urban areas and essentially assimilate. Reporter thats the base. Yeah. Reporter today, brett and his crew are installing solar panels at eleanors traditional hogan. Were there for the moment that so many of us take for granted. Eleanor hitting the light switch for the first time. Oh, my. Its unbelievable, being out here and having lights out in nowhere. Reporter her food going from the barn into a refrigerator for the first time. Using solar allows us to have access to the amenity but minimize the burden and the impact on the land. Its by people from here, built by people from here, and for people that are living here. Reporter brett and Navajo Power Hope to get up to 500 offgrid homes a year, but they also have a Giant Solar Farm Project planned right here on old uranium land, to power more than 200,000 homes and bring the revenue right back to where its needed. David . David ginger, thank you for kicking off this special weeklong series. So glad you were there as eleanor turned the power on for the first time. We mark earth week all week with the power of Us Innovative Solutions for Climate Change across abc news and across our abc stations. Its all week, right here. When we come back tonight, the Carnival Cruise ship rescuing more than two dozen people stranded at sea. Also, the e. Coli alert tonight involving ground beef. And the major headline involving cher tonight. Its about time. In a moment. Anthony this making you uncomfortable . Good. 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Sergeant Colin Arslanbas died in an accident last week. The incident is under investigation. He had just been promoted to sergeant weeks ago. A Carnival Cruise ship has rescued more than two dozen people adrift in a boat between florida and cuba. The carnival paradise sailing from tampa to honduras, saving 28 cuban nationals. They were taken onboard and checked by a medical team. The ship contacting the u. S. Coast guard. When we come back here tonight, the new health alert involving e. Coli concerns with some packages of ground beef. And the news on cher tonight, which is long overdue. I got help to push back. We got help to push back with lybalvi. Oncedaily Prescription Lybalvi is proven to treat manic or mixed episodes of bipolar 1 in adults to help you push back. Elderly patients with dementia have increased risk of death or stroke. Do not take lybalvi if you are taking opioids or are in Opioid Withdrawal. 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Tell your doctor if you have a parasitic infection. Get back to better breathing. Get back to what youve missed. Ask your doctor about fasenra, the only asthma treatment taken once every 8 weeks. If you cant afford your medication astrazeneca may be able to help. Tonight, the dep and the Department Of Agriculture has issued a Public Health alert for some ground beef products possibly contaminated with e. Coli, produced in march and sold in a number of Grocery Stores nationwide. They have a use by freeze by date of april 22nd, and the establishment number is 960a. The problem was discovered by the Greater Omaha packing company. Packages should be thrown away or returned. When we come back here tonight, what do cher, Kool The Gang, Dave Matthews, and Ozzy Osbourne all have in common tonight . To me, harlem is home. But home is also your body. I asked myself, why doesnt pilates exist in harlem . So i started my own studio. Getting a Brick And Mortar in new york is not easy. 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Helps reverse ten signs of damage in one minute. Keep living. Well keep repairing. Finally tonight here david finally tonight here, the new inductees to the rock n roll hall of fame. The class of 2024, spanning generations. If i could turn back time david cher will finally take her place in the hall after years of being overlooked. She recently said, quote, i wouldnt be in it now if they gave me a million dollars. Shes in tonight. Celebrate good times come on david Kool The Gang likely celebrating tonight, as well. In fact, robert kool bell, the last surviving member, telling Rolling Stone hes overjoyed. Its been 60 years. We finally made it. Among the other inductees, mary j. Blige, the Dave Matthews band, foreigner, peter frampton, Ozzy Osbourne, and a tribe called quest. By the way, the Induction Ceremony takes place in october, and will stream live on disney . Well be watching. Im david muir. Thank you for watching here on a monday night, and ill see you right back here tomorrow. From all of us here, have a good evening. Good night. Like this happened at multiple bay area schools today. Breaking news 30 years of Death Penalty cases now under review. Its all because of one Alameda County case from decades ago. And reverend Cecil Williams has passed away. Tonight, a look back at his life and legacy from abc seven live. Breaking news. Good evening. Im dionne lim and im dan ashley. Thanks for joining us on what has become a very busy day. In local news, the iconic longtime leader of San Franciscos Glide Foundation has died. Reverend Cecil Williams passed away today at the age of 94, according to glide. He died in his San Francisco home surrounded by family and friends. Reverend williams was widely respected on the national and local level for his work as a civil and human rights leader. He was at the helm of glide for 60 years. He set about to resurrect the people in the tenderloin. He removed all the barriers for the circumstances to be for the people of need in the tenderloin and advertised it. He reached out to the world to let you know if you really want to do something, and clear your conscience, come to glide, reverend williams transformed glide from fewer than 50 members to Tens Of Thousands from all walks of life. He also helped create dozens of community programs. He could minister and get the